US20050191934A1

US20050191934A1 - Easy interchangeabilty of visual and sound embellishments on wearing apparel accessories and other articles by use of mating parts which have the capability of closing an electric circuit

Info

Publication number: US20050191934A1
Application number: US10/786,931
Authority: US
Inventors: Katrina Videnovich; Joni Spiers; Burton Werbel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-26
Filing date: 2004-02-26
Publication date: 2005-09-01

Abstract

The invention affords an easy means of interchanging embellishments on toys, wearing apparel and accessories. In this novel approach the embellishment is affixed to an intermediary carrier part which has one or more mated receptors embedded in the toy, garment or accessory to be adorned. Employing carriers with various embellishments affixed gives the user the ability to achieve a variety of effects of sight and sound by replacing the originally selected embellishments with others.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of fashion the use of embellishments on wearing apparel and accessories enhances their appearance and affords the wearer a sense of well-being. The embellishment could be a chip which provides luminance or sound. For example where the appendage consists of a chip which can display a flag or play a national anthem, the individual can display his/her national pride. Having a variety of such appendages available for use can provide a new look and further advances that well-being. Other uses for the technique disclosed herein include home decor, safety equipment and educational and artistic items.
Currently, embellishments used are either permanent and accordingly not transferable or are attached by cumbersome or inconvenient means.
The invention disclosed herein affords easy means of attachment and removal, providing an economical way for the consumer to achieve a limitless variety and singly or in combinations. It affords an individual ways to express his/her enthusiasm or patriotic pride at athletic events or other venues of congregation and can provide souvenirs and collectibles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a method whereby intermediary parts are employed as carriers for visual and/or sound embellishing attachments which are used in conjunction with one or more receptor mates embedded in the item to be adorned. Sets selected for use are those in which the free part may be readily attached and removed. With various decorative, amusement or informative elements affixed to these parts desired interchange singly or or in combination could be accomplished. With chips used as embellishments thst can produce light or sound the joining of mates to close the electrical circuit would energize them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

1. Studs, example of part upon which visual or sound producing embellishment can be attached by adhesives, crimping, etc.
2. Examples of embellishments which may be attached to studs.
3. Examples of substrates with embedded sockets for mating with studs. As shown picture frame has embedded in it a light emitting decorative flower. The cap has embedded in it a light up flag emitting music.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A part of a mated set is embedded in a garment, accessory, toy or article to be embellished. The appendage to be mated with the embedded part could be decorative, informative, amusing, expressive of an emotion, etc. Means of embedment are well known in the art. Depending upon the subsrate material and that of the part it could be done by adhesive, sewing, stapling crimping, force-fit etc., for which hand tools and machines are available. Pre-punching an opening for mating parts to engage. Some operations could be done manually.
The mated parts, which can be readily attached to and removed from the embedded mate, are affixed with the desired appendages. Depending upon the material of the part and the appendage, the connection can be made by means sinilar to those described above; also by clicking, snapping, welding brazing, soldering are options that may apply. With respect to appendages producing light or sound, vacuuming of the micro-chips may be done.
By employing this novel use of carriers which can be readily interchanged, pleasing and expressive effects can be attained by the user changing embellishments easily and at will, whether it be in singly or multiple embedded parts on a single item in combinations that could be varied at will. The method is simple and cost effective compared to variation of effects obtained by varying the accessory itself or the garment worn, or by methods of attachment which are inconvenient or difficult to use with items made of certain materials.
The invention herein disclosed can be used with substrate materials including, but not limited to cloth, leather, metal and plastic. Mated parts could include, but not be limited to snaps, magnetic/magnetic attractable materials. Appendages could include, but not be limited to gems, stones, floral, sequins, emblems, light or sound producing chips, etc.; also hearts, cartoon charactors, hobbies, monograms, seasonal/holiday, travel/geographic, clear inserts for personal photos, artistic work, expressions, etc. These can be mated with handbag, backpack, travel/tote bags, hats beanie/knit caps, jewelry, shoes, sandals, clothing, belts, hair accessories, wall hangings, frames, home accessories, stuffed animals, bike helmuts, etc.

Claims

1. Use of a part to which is affixed an appendage and which part is used to mate with a part embedded in a toy, wearing apparel, accessories, personal effects, home furnishings, etc.

2. Use of a system consisting of a set of snaps, one part of which has affixed to it an appendage which uses a character, fictional or real, is decorative, informative, amusing or expressive of an emotion, and which part is used to mate with the other part of the sets embedded in a toy, wearing apparel, accessories, personal effects, home furnishings, etc.

3. Use of a system consisting of a set of magnetic and “magnetic attractive” mates, one of which has affixed to it an appendage which uses a character, fictional or real, is decorative, informative, amusing or expressive of an emotion and which is used to mate with the other part of a set embedded in a toy, wearing apparel, accessories, personal effects, home furnishings, etc.

4. Use of a set of snaps to close a circuit.

5. Use of a set of snaps to close a circuit enrgizing chips to produce light or sound.